Every winter, I like to snuggle under a blanket with a book and the quiet of night. I love to read holiday-themed books for this type of event.
And, believe me, if you get a couple of nights to yourself to sit on your sofa and veg with a good book, it is an EVENT.
Typically, after all the holiday shopping, cooking, cleaning and planning, my brain longs for a vacation. And like most vacations, someone must die while others eat Christmas cookies and drink eggnog.
Holidays call for the type of book that does not involve a whole lot of thinking. Generally, the heroine is independent and might have a hint of a love interest. Of course, she lives in a snowy small town where a bunch of murders occur. I mean, who doesn’t?
Holiday Book Ideas for Mom
If you are like me and maybe have some stress to release on a poor innocent character in a Christmas novel, whilst simultaneously getting in the Yuletide spirit, here is a list of books to help you do just that:
Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier, Laura Levine
Candy Cane Murder by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine, Leslie Meier
Sugar Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen Series #6) by Joanne Fluke
Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen Series #12) by Joanne Fluke
Christmas Caramel Murder by Joanne Fluke
Note: These books contain recipes. Reading about baking and baking are kind of the same thing.
Also, I’m not alone in my need for a little holiday mystery. Here is a very lengthy list arranged by author’s last name. But, no matter how advanced and worldly, your little darlings happen to be, a murder mystery is a bit too heavy for little kids. Time to switch gears.
Holiday Books for Kiddos
I love to introduce a new book to my girls every Christmas Eve. It’s one of our family traditions. By far, the books my kids love the best are regionally themed. You know, Santa Claus is Coming to (Insert Hometown Here).
We have one for Saint Louis, but we no longer live there, and there is not a Santa Claus is Coming to Corpus Christi. I’ve checked. Someone needs to write that!
However, here are a couple regionally themed books our kids can enjoy: 
Santa Is Coming to Texas by Steve Smallman (Author), Robert Dunn (Illustrator)
More Snow for Kids by Clark L. Childers (Author), William Wilhelmi (Illustrator)
*This book is about the snowfall of 2004 in Corpus Christi, TX!
Of course, there are the old favorites: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, The Night Before Christmas and The Gift of the Magi. I linked almost all of these to copies on the internet. They are free! I love free! The library is free, too, as long as you return the books on-time. Maybe, I’m not so good at the “on-time” part, but I still love libraries.
Hanukkah Bear by Eric A Kimmel (Author), Mike Wohnoutka (Illustrator)
*My eldest is super interested in Hanukkah. This book is cute, tells a little about Hanukkah and contains an easy recipe for latkes.
A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel
*This book actually made me tear up. My kids think it is funny and not at all sad. Plus, it has a message about the importance of friends and family for the holidays. 
Paw Patrol: The Night Before Christmas -Lift the Flap
*I only mention this one because it kept my 2 year-old entertained for a bit. It would be perfect for a road trip. There are 24 flaps to open. 24!
Finally, if you just love Pete the Cat or really haven’t been pushed to the point of wanting to throw a book out the window of a moving car, then purchase Pete the Cat Saves Christmas. You will repeatedly hear, “and although I am small, at Christmas we give, so I’ll give it me all.” Followed by, “Give it your all, give it your all. At Christmas we give, so give it your all.” The message is truly lovely, but I am not a fan of hearing it over and over and over… still, lovely message.
